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#1488 of 2,648 schools in NC

The Oaks Academy

High School · Cherokee County Schools

The Oaks Academy 4700 East US 64 Alternate, Murphy, NC 28906

Enrollment

52

Student-Teacher

6.5:1

Score

6.0

Grades

6th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

North Carolina schools

#1,488 of 2,648

In Murphy

#7 of 10

public schools

In district

#9 of 13

Cherokee County Schools

School environment

9.9 / 10

Excellent

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The Oaks Academy

6.0/10

High School in Murphy · grades 6th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Tri-county Early College High

7.8/10

0.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Peachtree Elementary

9.0/10

2.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About The Oaks Academy

The Oaks Academy is a public high school in Murphy, NC, part of Cherokee County Schools. The Oaks Academy serves approximately 52 students, and covers grades 6th-12th, and has a 6.5:1 student-teacher ratio. The Oaks Academy has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.0 out of 10 and ranks #1,488 of 2,648 schools in NC.

Structured state assessment records for The Oaks Academy show 17% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 19% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares0.5 pts below district
  • This school 6.0 · Average
  • District avg 6.5
  • NC avg 6.4

What Parents Should Know

At 52 students, The Oaks Academy is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.

Test scores at The Oaks Academy sit below average, but its growth scores are strong: students here make above-average progress year over year. The raw numbers haven't caught up, but a school that keeps moving kids forward is doing the harder, more important work.

At 6.5:1 students to teachers, The Oaks Academy sits well below the national average. Smaller classes like that usually mean more one-on-one time between students and teachers.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress8.5Excellent25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data12
Annual Change-0.68 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendStable
Academics1.5Needs Improvement25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency5.6% (2025 NC)
Reading/ELA Proficiency22.2% (2025 NC)
Math vs. State Avg-43.3 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-31.4 pts
Overall Proficiency14% (2025 NC, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)48% (model expectation from 2025 NC)
vs. Expected-34.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile2th
College Readiness5.2Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate57%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment9.9Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio6.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,303

The Oaks Academy — Students at The Oaks Academy score 14% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 48%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

94.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 17.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
52.5% (2025 NC)
ELA Proficiency 19.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
53.9% (2025 NC)

Based on 26 test records from NC state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2009
Math
24.5%
ELA
24.5%
2010
Math
24.5%
ELA
24.5%
2011
Math
24.5%
ELA
24.5%
2012
Math
24.5%
ELA
24.5%
2013
Math
10%
ELA
24.5%
2017
Math
24.5%
ELA
10%
2018
Math
15%
ELA
15%
2019
Math
15%
ELA
15%
2020*
Math
10%
ELA
10%
2021*
Math
10%
ELA
10%
2022
Math
25%
ELA
25%
2025
Math
7%
ELA
19.5%

* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 8.5/10.

How The Oaks Academy Compares

See how The Oaks Academy performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.0/10
44th percentile in NC
Academic
1.5/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
8.5/10
Excellent
Environment
9.9/10
Excellent
Advanced STEM
2/5
Subjects offered
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
94%
Teaching Staff
7:1 student-teacher ratio
8 teachers

Programs & Offerings

Advanced STEM Courses2 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22
Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

The Oaks Academy 4700 East US 64 Alternate, Murphy, NC 28906

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering The Oaks Academy may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Tri-County Early College High (rated 7.8/10), which scores notably higher. Another option is Union County High School (rated 7.2/10, 12.9 miles away, in nearby Blairsville), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Hayesville High (rated 6.6/10, 8.8 miles away, in nearby Hayesville), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Murphy, see our Murphy schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 13.1 mi
School Distance Rating
Tri-County Early College High Murphy 0.0 mi 7.8
Peachtree Elementary Murphy 2.2 mi 9.0
Murphy Middle Murphy 3.6 mi 5.7
Murphy High Murphy 3.7 mi 5.6
Murphy Elementary Murphy 3.9 mi 7.1
Martins Creek Elementary/Mid Murphy 4.3 mi 4.8
SHEPHERD ACADEMY Murphy 4.6 mi
MURPHY ADVENTIST CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Murphy 5.1 mi
CAROLINA CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Hayesville 8.5 mi 5.9
Hayesville Middle Hayesville 8.7 mi 7.3
Hayesville High Hayesville 8.8 mi 6.6
Hayesville Elementary Hayesville 8.8 mi 8.3
Hayesville Primary School Hayesville 9.0 mi 6.9
Union County High School Blairsville 12.9 mi 7.2
Union County Middle School Blairsville 13.0 mi 6.6
Union County Elementary School Blairsville 13.0 mi 7.4
Union County Primary School Blairsville 13.1 mi 6.1
Andrews High Andrews 12.1 mi 6.4
Andrews Elementary Andrews 12.2 mi 5.3
Andrews Middle Andrews 13.1 mi 6.0

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 28906 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$52,669

Median Home Value

$219,800

Median Rent

$872/mo

Population

19,712

College Educated

24.4%

Homeownership

84%

Avg Commute

26.6 min

Poverty Rate

12.4%

Median Age

56.1

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Montgomery Learning Academy Troy, NC 6.3
ECKERD - BOOMER CAMPUS Boomer, NC 6.4
Lakeview School Durham, NC 5.6
Global E-Learning Academy Elkin, NC 5.5
Jackson Community School Sylva, NC 5.5
Main Street Academy Winston-Salem, NC 5.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about The Oaks Academy

What grades does The Oaks Academy serve?

The Oaks Academy serves students in grades 6th through 12th.

How many students attend The Oaks Academy?

The Oaks Academy has an enrollment of approximately 52 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at The Oaks Academy?

The student-teacher ratio at The Oaks Academy is 6.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does The Oaks Academy rank in NC?

The Oaks Academy ranks #1,488 of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is The Oaks Academy's MySchoolScout rating?

The Oaks Academy has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.0 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at The Oaks Academy?

Based on loaded state assessment records, The Oaks Academy has 17% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 19% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is The Oaks Academy a charter school?

No, The Oaks Academy is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is The Oaks Academy a Title I school?

No, The Oaks Academy is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for The Oaks Academy?

94.2% of students at The Oaks Academy qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
7 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
13 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 12th
Enrollment
52
Student-Teacher Ratio
6.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
8
Free/Reduced Lunch
94.2%
Type
alternative
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Cherokee County
4-Year Graduation
57.0%

District

Cherokee County Schools
District Enrollment
3,108
Schools in District
13
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,303
District Rank
#9 of 13

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